Ohio State football: Long wait finally over for Sabino

In the midst of yesterday's scrimmage at Ohio Stadium, Etienne Sabino was in his element.

In the midst of yesterday's scrimmage at Ohio Stadium, Etienne Sabino was in his element.

He was yelling signals to his fellow Ohio State linebackers and pointing out changes to the secondary as the defense kept the offense out of the end zone - until a lightning bolt and heavy rain cut things short.

"He's definitely our leader right now in the middle of the field," cornerback Travis Howard said of Sabino. "He's the guy calling all the plays and making all the checks. He's a big part of our defense, and I am happy to see him actually out there, happy again, and able to make plays."

Last season, Sabino was beaten out by Andrew Sweat in August for the starting job at strongside linebacker and opted to redshirt. It was an unusual move for a healthy player going into his junior year.

But the idea was to give Sabino a chance to mature a little more - he was 17 as a freshman in 2008 when he came to Ohio State with Howard from the same high school in Miami - and to find an open zone in a glut of linebackers.

Sitting and waiting, Sabino found, was no joy ride.

"It was extremely difficult. I would say it was probably one of the hardest years of my life," Sabino said. "The toughest part was sitting on that sideline on Saturday and not being able to play. Obviously, you are pulling for your team, you want them to win. But you want to help them, as well."

The chance almost came in emergency fashion when injuries ate into the depth at linebacker and on special teams, where Sabino had excelled. There was talk near the end of the season of Sabino giving up the redshirt season.

"We spoke about it and if I was needed, I would have gone," Sabino said. "But luckily we were able to make it out, and I didn't have to go in."

That was his preference.

"At that point we're pretty late in the season. I was just hoping everybody stayed healthy," Sabino said.

But Howard could tell Sabino was dealing with angst.

"There were times when I could see him depressed and sad, because he is so used to being out on the field and being a part of the defense and actually making plays," Howard said. "Him sitting out hurt him a little bit, but at the same time, coming into this year it made him more hungry. He's more fired up, amped up and ready. He's been helping our defense as the captain in the middle."

Sabino has been at middle linebacker the first three weeks of spring drills, joined by Sweat at the weakside spot and perhaps the month's biggest surprise, Chris Maxwell, on the strongside, at least on the first-team defense yesterday.

Sweat said Sabino has blossomed.

"I think he understands the conceptual aspects of the game better," Sweat said. "It seems like he is more aggressive this year. I just think he has a sense of desire and want."

That's come with gaining a better understanding of the defense and his role within it, Sabino said.

"You're obviously a lot more comfortable because you know how everything works around here," Sabino said. "I was coming from Florida, so Ohio was new to me, as well.

"You just figure now you're kind of in your comfort zone, you know your way around Columbus a little bit, you know your way on the field, you know your way around the Woody (Hayes Athletic Center), you know your way around campus and whatnot, and you're kind of looked to as a mentor for those younger dudes."

Sabino not only could end up a first-time starter but, as a fourth-year player, a team leader.

"That's the role everybody wants to be in," Sabino said. "As far as my role changing, I just feel like I need to step up. I feel like I have been here for a while and I haven't done what I wanted to do yet. I want to help this team win, and that's where my mind's at right now."